Union University News

Smiley to share thoughts on Great Depression

JACKSON, Tenn. – Oct. 21, 2004 – Dr. Gene Smiley, professor of economics at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wis., will be speaking at a noon luncheon at Union University on October 29. The topic of his discussion will be ‘Rethinking the Great Depression’ in conjunction with the anniversary of the 1929 stock market crash marking the beginning of that era.

In his book, Rethinking the Great Depression, Smiley describes the Great Depression as “the single most important economic event in the twentieth century.” It began in late 1929 and lasted into the 1940s. At its height more than 15 million Americans were without work. The purpose of this work and the lecture is to identify the causes and discuss the consequences of the Depression in a way that even those with no specialty in economics can understand.

The luncheon will be held in Coburn Dining Hall in the Student Union Building at Union University. Sponsored by Union University McAfee School of Business and the Center for Business and Economic Development, the lecture is free and open to the public. Lunch is available for purchase from the cafeteria. For more information call Judy Leforgee at (731) 661-5357.